Karin Mertes
Thalasso therapy centre in Wimereux, côte d’opale. RWTH Aachen (Germany)
On the brink
The edge of the cliff, the place where land and sea meet, is the most extreme place:
rough and wild to one side, peaceful and even to the other.
The redefinition of the edge without destroying its singular athmosphere, but rather enforcing the effect of a clash between wind, water and land is the aim.
The setting on the brink of the cliff with its two contrasting sides offers the possibility to unite the two demands of a thalasso therapy centre – it being a place for recovering and relaxing of body and mind on the one hand, but also of communication and company on the other hand.
Sedimental layers
Horizontal layers of stone, varying in colour and massivity of material, form the cliff at Wimereux, thus creating a relief of stripes and natural terraces. These sedimental layers and the way they form the rock under the influence of wind, water and time are the initial idea of the concept:
The building as part of the rock, adapting to it, a logical consequence of the weather and a continuation of landscape. The result of my supposed „intensified erosion“ would be a terraced area, descending towards the edge.
Functions with differing demands are arranged on this landscape of layers according to the required intensity of light, silence, warmth or privacy.
The more intimate a function/activity is, the deeper it retreats into the rock, towards the land, while spaces meant for communication and encounter gradually expose themselves to the sea and the light.
Erosion and corrosion
As time leaves marks on the landscape it also leaves marks on buildings.
Material weathers under the influence of wind and water.
It adapts to the surface and colour of its surroundings. It changes.
Metal corrodes, wood cracks and bleaches, stone weathers and washes out.
Smoothness may erode into roughness, rough surfaces are smoothed down.
Dark colours fade into pale colours.
Clean gets soiled.
The path and the patio
The integration of the coastal path on top of the rock into the building as main access element and „spine“ allows the visitor as well as the passer-by the continuation of the walk along the edge of the cliff to the vantage point at the pointe de la rochette as known before.
The path gradually opens up into a „patio“ that serves as central forum area, distributor to the three parts of the complex, hotel, bath and restaurant, and buffer between indoor and outdoor zones. It is public space and „artificial rock nose“.
SCHUNCK cannot guarantee the correctness of content and expression. The participants themselves are responsible for their entries. The copyright of the projects underlies to the authors, any reproduction or use of the shown material is strictly forbidden.